Be Careful What You Take for Granted

For years, without realizing it, I admit I have taken my family's good health for granted. It is so easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of life and not appreciate the most basic things that we are blessed to have...

Since my last post, David's mom has been diagnosed with a specific type of Lymphoma (Diffused Large B Cell Lymphoma with Atypical Features) instead of Leukemia as originally thought. She was faced with 2 treatment options last evening, neither of them pleasant. Today, she has thoughtfully and carefully chosen her treatment plan. She has decided to fight with everything she has. She will begin (literally as I type this) the most grueling and and aggressive form of chemotherapy available to her. She will spend the next 3 weeks at Emory getting a continuous dose. This treatment plan is risky, especially to her precious kidney that she received in February... but to her the hopeful outcome outweighs the risks. What bravery she has to face this with such courage!

Also, it was discovered yesterday that my Daddy has some abnormalities with his heart function. His cardiologist is concerned. He will have a heart cath next Friday to access the situation further.

These times are hard... there is no other way to describe it. But, in the midst of it all, we still raise our arms and praise God for all of the blessings that He has given us... among them being the two rays of sunshine that continue to thrive in my womb despite the whirlwind that surrounds us. We believe in the POWER of prayer and ask that you continue to pray for our family as we enter into this trying time.

Nursery

Finally, the looong awaited nursery pictures!!

Pumpkin Carving

"Cheeeeeese!"

Big Brother Lucas

Big Brother Lucas is getting ready for the babies by testing out all of their fun toys!! :o)

Mrs. Brenda

It is with a heavy heart that I write this blog post. On Friday, we learned that David's mom has leukemia. We are still awaiting some anticipated test results as to the type of leukemia she has, but her doctors are optimistic that it is still in its earliest stages. She has been transferred to Emory.. a place that David and I aren't strangers to as you all know. She has been through so much lately with her recent kidney transplant in February and possible Parkinson's Disease diagnosis in the last few weeks (still aren't sure if the leukemia is mimicking the symptoms or if she in fact has it). She is a strong person... she is determined. Just yesterday, her main doctor came in to tell her that her white blood cell count had come down a great deal over the course of just a few days (from 38000 to 19000)... he was puzzled... she told him that it was because of all the people praying to God for her healing. :o) We are taking things one day at a time... She is understandably very shaken that she likely won't be here when the babies are born, but we are hoping that she will be home in time for the holidays. This will be a rough road... Prayers for comfort, peace and healing my friends...

Pumpkin Patch

Lucas had a ball at the Pumpkin Patch on Saturday with his Daddy and Nana & Big! I so wish I could have joined in on the fun. There was hayrides, horses, tractors, pumpkins and more! Lucas even picked out his very own pumpkin to bring home. He talks about it all the time and totes it around everywhere! Not too sure what he will think when we get ready to carve it... we might just have to get a "backup" pumpkin!! lol

Fall Fun

We are loving the Fall weather! Lucas could LIVE outside I think!!

"Hanging Out" in Nana and PawPaw's Tree

Mmmm... Not only did Nana surprise Lucas with a new Halloween bucket... she surprised him with a "treat" inside, too!

He gets so excited at just the mention of CHOCOLATE!!! He is his mother's child!

Tests and More Tests

Just a little update...

Last Friday, my blood pressure just would not cooperate with the rest of my body.... after a day of bedrest, no activity... it was running alot higher than usual (150-170s/90s). I even had a roaring noise in my ears and literally saw stars upon standing... Of course, the doctor had me go up the Labor and Delivery just to be checked out and make sure the babies were not in any distress. Thankfully, they looked perfect.. as they always do! My blood pressure was still high when we arrived, but within minutes of being hooked up to the machine (lying on my back, although tilted) my blood pressure plummeted to 76/40. I was a trembling, sweaty, nauseated mess! It was due to vein compression in my back (the reason pregnant women aren't supposed to lie on their backs). Not a good feeling at all, but after sitting up, I began to feel better and bp looked more like my normal numbers. The babies were fine through the whole thing.. they never skipped a beat!

Over the weekend, contractions came and went as usual and today I had to go back to L & D for my first scheduled NST. Again, the babies looked great! It's actually neat to sit and watch their little heartbeats rise as they move and kick. :o)

I go back to Dr. Miller tomorrow and another NST at the hospital on Friday. Continue to pray for a healthy ending stretch to this pregnancy.